Labor Day weekend is here, and that means this summer’s Chicago Jazz Festival has also arrived, taking place on four stages in Millennium Park, plus music and events at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.) kicking off at 1 p.m. on Thursday opening day.
The fest will run through the late hours of Sunday, Sept. 1, programmed by the nonprofit Jazz Institute of Chicago. All concerts and events are free; more information at ChicagoJazzFestival.us. The 2024 headliners include Amina Claudine Myers, Catherine Russell, Kenny Garrett and the Sounds from the Ancestors, and Spanish Harlem Orchestra.
Thursday at the Chicago Cultural Center
Claudia Cassidy Theater
1 p.m.: The Young Masters presented by Live the Spirit
2:30 p.m.: Jeff Chan Ensemble presented by Asian Improv
4 p.m.: The DJAZ Quartet presented by Elastic Arts Foundation
5:30 p.m.: What is this thing called Jazz? Presented by the Education Committee of the Jazz Institute of Chicago
Preston Bradley Hall
12:30 p.m.: IRIS with Russ Johnson presented by Fulton Street Collective
2 p.m.: New Deal Gypsy Jazz Band presented by llliana Club of Traditional Jazz
3:30 p.m.: The Miguel de la Cerna Quartet presented by The Hyde Park Jazz Society
4:45 p.m.: The Southside All Stars featuring Di’Kobie Berry and Darius Hampton, presented by South Side Jazz Coalition
6 p.m.: Jason Adasiewicz
7 p.m.: Amina Claudine Myers
Friday in Millennium Park
Von Freeman Stage in the North Promenade
11:30 a.m.: Maddie Vogler
12:40 p.m.: Bethany Pickens Trio
1:50 p.m.: Big Shoulders Brass Band
3 p.m. Lakecia Benjamin
WDCB Jazz Lounge in the South Promenade
Noon: Sanctified Grumblers
2:15 p.m.: Calligram Records Showcase
4:30 p.m.: The Bruce Henry Quintet
6:45 p.m.: Bonzo Squad
Pritzker Pavilion
4:15 p.m.: Tomeka Reid
5:25 p.m.: Billy Harper Quintet
6:25 p.m.: Charlie Sepúlveda
7:45 p.m.; Catherine Russell
Saturday in Millennium Park
Young Lions Jazz on the Harris Theater Rooftop
11 a.m.: Whitney Young Jazz Combo
11:50 a.m.: Midwest Young Artists Conservatory Combo
12:40 p.m.: ChiArts Combo A
1:35 p.m.: Lincoln Park High School Jazz Band
2:25 p.m.: Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage
3:15 p.m.: Kenwood Academy High School Jazz Band
Von Freeman Stage in the North Promenade
11:30 a.m: Windy City Ramblers
12:40 p.m.: Leslie Beukelman & Jeremy Kahn’s “Tonight: At Noon”
1:50 p.m.: Mike Ross Quartet
3 p.m.: James Brandon Lewis
WDCB Jazz Lounge in the South Promenade
Noon: Samuel Mosching Quintet
2:15 p.m.: Charles Heath Quartet
4:30 p.m.: Lynne Jordan & the Shivers
6:45 p.m.: Soul Message Band
Pritzker Pavilion
4:15 p.m.: Dennis Carroll
5:25 p.m.: Jeff Parker/New Breed
6:25 p.m.: René Marie & Experiment In Truth
7:45 p.m.: Kenny Garrett and Sounds from the Ancestors
Sunday in Millennium Park
Young Lions Jazz on the Harris Theater Rooftop
11 a.m.: Alfie Jackson Quartet
Noon: Brandon Harper and Friends
1 p.m.: The Isabella Isherwood Quintet
2 p.m.: Alejandro Salazar and the Afro Cuban Exchange
3 p.m.: JCANDTHEREUPBAND
Von Freeman Stage in the North Promenade
11:30 a.m.: Mai Sugimoto
12:40 p.m.: Sharel Cassity Alliance
1:50 p.m.: Charlie Johnson Quartet
3 p.m.: Jason Palmer Quartet
WDCB Jazz Lounge in the South Promenade
Noon: Bethany Pickens Soulful Coalition
2:15 p.m.: Ernest Dawkins Quintet
4:30 p.m.: Alexander McLean Project
6:45 p.m.: Juli Wood’s “Natalies Wood plays Roland Kirk”
Pritzker Pavilion
4:15 p.m.: Clif Wallace Big Band
5:25 p.m.: Eddie Henderson
6:25 p.m.: Orrin Evans
7:45 p.m.: Spanish Harlem Orchestra